In “Come Sing, Jimmy Jo,” we meet James Johnson, who is the eleven-year-old son of Jimmy Lee and Olive Johnson, untraditional parents to say the least. For decades, the Johnson Family has had their own band, comprised of Grandpa, Grandma, their son Earl, and other son Jimmy Lee. When Olive married into the family, her soprano singing voice was just what the band needed. They traveled from town to town, playing at fairs, family reunions, and church gatherings. Grandma’s voice gave out right around the same time James was born, so she kept him on the farm and raised him while the rest of the family went out on their tours.
James loves living on the farm with his grandma. He helps her with the chores and she’s teaching him how to cook. She’s also taught him how to sing and play the guitar, but he’s too shy to do it for the Family; he’ll just sing for her. He’s closer to her than to any other person in the world.
When the Family comes home for a break between shows, they have news – an agent wants to represent them. This could be the break they’ve been looking for, but Grandpa’s not sure. To pass the time after dinner, they get out their instruments and start to play, and Grandma encourages James to join in. Taking a deep breath, he does, and after a minute, discovers it’s not as frightening as he’s always thought. And just then, the agent walks up, come to see if the family is ready to sign. He’s taken with James and wants him as part of the band.
Suddenly everything in James’ life is tossed upside down. He has to leave Grandma behind on the farm while he moves several hours away with his family. They’ve been booked for a television show and he finds himself a celebrity overnight. Between balancing school, his new career, and his ever-increasing homesickness, he wonders if this new life is really what he wants after all, especially when his family seems to be fighting more and more often.
I really enjoyed this book. It carries a poignancy all its own – a flavor of real country music, southern living and cooking, and the fresh voice of a shy, eleven-year-old protagonist.
(This book was published in 1985 by Puffin.)
Newbury Medal Winners 1971-1980
Newbury Medal Winners 1981-1990